Roger Federer was already close to beatification, but in less than a fortnight his journey to Melbourne propelled him to canonization. The first two tours of Switzerland for its 21e appearances at the Australian Open were mere formality. Since then, each of the exits of the idol capsized the little battered heart of his fans, who swear to see him perform miracles on the court. Ordinary, jostled, dying but ultimately triumphant, hero of flesh and blood.
On paper, Providence had been rather lenient with the icon of 38 years and almost six months, who did not have to face a single player of the Top 40 for his first five games. Without offending them, Steve Johnson (75e), Filip Krajinovic (41e), John Millman (47e), Marton Fucsovics (67e) and Tennys Sandgren (100e) are not a priori threatening adversaries when we have won 20 Grand Slam titles. And yet, the world number 3 has sometimes been more than rowdy.
Led 8-4 in super tie-break against local John Millman in 3e tour, Friday January 24, before an insane recovery (4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6), Federer did even better against the American Tennys Sandgren Tuesday January 28 in the quarterfinals : 7 match balls saved in 4e set before winning 6-3, 2-6, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3.
"I was very lucky today (Tuesday). I don't deserve this victory, conceded the six-time winner of the tournament to the public of the Rod Laver Arena, but I'm here before you and I'm happy. " Already on Sunday, against Fucsovics, he had given up the first round to the disciplined Hungarian.
"I believe in miracles"
By setting foot on Australian soil, the Swiss said to himself "In doubt and the unknown" before entering the tournament, he who had not played in an official match for more than two months and his semi-final lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas at the London Masters in November. "I know the road to the title is very long. My expectations are not high. "
Since the start of the fortnight, he has shown little certainty. A backhand forehand diagonal (82 direct faults against Millman, including 48 forehand), a service sometimes broken down, unusual approximations and slowness. The Federer we've seen in recent days was not far from its worst level in Grand Slam.
At 38 and a half, the legs weigh heavier too. Facing Sandgren, the Rod Laver Arena was frightened when she saw him call the doctor in 3e set. We feared the worst for the Swiss, who has never given up a single game in his career. The interested party specified after the meeting to have felt "A groin, leg pain. I wasn’t 100% but I believe in miracles, it could rain, something could happen, it wasn’t enough to stop or make things worse. And I think I did well … "
The miracle man. HOW did @rogerfederer do that? 👇 #AusOpen https://t.co/FUpkqtFYl7
The hourglass empties inexorably, but the Swiss continues to defy time, eternal competitor. Facing Millman and Sandgren, Federer battled two opponents: the player on the other side of the net and himself. Once miraculous, we can talk about luck, twice it's no longer chance.
The Swiss have built their legend on its elegance, its aerial movement, a reverse with a crystalline hand. But this Australian Open reminds him of the invisible force that separates the great from the monuments: the mind. When the air becomes scarce for ordinary people, they are monsters of realism. "From 8-4, I don't feel like I did it wrong. He didn't miss it anymore. I guess that's what the best do. It still hurts "summed up an inconsolable Millman.
A 50e duel against Djokovic
Seeing Federer emerge victorious from such scenarios at his age is perhaps more stunning than the level he is still capable of producing. Successes which say how much, at a time when certain young wolves would like to send him back to his sofa, he is not satisfied. Even after 21 participations in a row.
It’s also for these kinds of matches that he continues to play, after winning everything. "I think that if I play tennis, it is to try to win titles, to have fun on the court, but also to live epic matches like this one", he agreed Friday. And when he goes to two elimination points in the middle of the night, he is aware that this exposed vulnerability further reinforces the legend.
His next opponent, Novak Djokovic, paid homage there. Everyone knows, however, that the two men do not like each other. "What Roger did today (Tuesday), it's impressive. Saving seven match balls this way, at his age … He showed us again that he was one of the best players of all time. He never gives up. When the moment is crucial, Roger is concentrated and plays his best tennis. "
It is all the easier for the Serb to throw flowers to his elder since the latter has not beaten him in the Grand Slam since 2012. Their last face-to-face in Major, six months ago at Wimbledon , peaked at unbreathable heights and his two match points at 8-7 in 5e set have earned Federer some nightmares.
"I will have to play better in the half, because if not, I'm sure I can go skiing", he quipped Jim Courier's microphone on Tuesday. If his body doesn't betray him by then. No question for the Helvetian of departing from her pragmatism. "I will consider my course to be over once I shake the hand of the one who beat me. Not before. " Saint Rita has not ceased to be implored.
